Frontline Initiative Dual Diagnosis

Peer mentoring has been shown to decrease anxiety and depression in people with mental health issues. Peer mentoring may also be an effective approach to supporting people with a dual diagnosis. A peer mentor is someone who has experienced something and is willing to share their experiences with others who are in a similar situation. Peer mentors with a dual diagnosis can encourage and sup­port other individuals with I/DD and mental health issues to lead a healthy, productive, and fulfilling lifestyle. Talking with peers and learning about others’ challenges and suc­cesses can help people with a dual diagnosis develop important relationships and build a community with other people who may have faced similar adversity and have persevered.